UTV Riding Tips for Beginners

Riding a UTV on the trails is a thrilling, fun-packed way to spend a weekend with your friends or family. These machines are also powerhouses when it comes to hauling heavy machines and cargo around the farm or job site. However, if you’re new to UTVs, it’s best that you brush up on some basic safety rules and good riding practices before you set out on your first ride.

Here at Lawton Motorsports, we know the importance of enjoying your UTV riding experience as well as the need for caution when you’re just starting out. In order to get yourself acquainted with your new ride, we’ve created this guide so you can stay safe and have maximum fun! If you’ve any questions or if you need assistance, visit our dealership in Lawton, Oklahoma.

Take Riding Classes

There’s no substitute for proper instruction, and UTV classes are a great way to get the lowdown on how to ride with confidence. Riding a side-by-side isn’t the same as driving a car or truck, so there are several important things you’ll need to learn. Additional techniques and skills are required, and the only way to know these is to learn from someone who is already an expert. You might even be able to find a program in your area that offers different classes based on your skill level.

Get Some Practice

The best way to prepare yourself is by getting enough practice so you can familiarize yourself with your vehicle and how it operates. Head to an empty field that’s reasonably flat and free of major obstacles and try out turns, reverses, speeding up, and braking. You’ll want to start out at a slower speed and then increase the speed gradually as you become used to your vehicle. When you do head to a local track or trail, try to plan out the route in advance so you know what type of terrain you’ll be on, whether it will be slippery and wet, or rocky and rough. Knowing what to expect will help you to be better prepared.

Wear the Proper Gear

The right gear will help you stay safe on your UTV. Wearing a helmet should be your most important priority. Make sure that it’s got a high crash-test rating and that you have sufficient eye protection in the form of goggles or a full face mask. Debris from the road as well as dust or even light rain can get in your eyes, causing you to swerve off the path and hit an obstacle. Wear sunglasses or goggles with tinted lenses to shield your eyes from harmful UV radiation.

Gloves with a good grip and boots that protect your ankles are also important, as are long sleeves and pants. You want to reduce how much skin you expose because of flying dirt, debris, rocks, and branches that could scrape you up. Wearing clothes that cover your skin has the added benefit of shielding you from sunburn, which means you won’t have to worry about constantly applying sunscreen.

Maintenance and Pre-Ride Inspection

While this might not directly impact your riding skill, keeping your UTV maintained will significantly decrease your chances of having an accident or breakdown on the trail. Walk around your vehicle before you head out and examine it for signs of damage. Check your tire pressure and inflate all your tires to the right pressure while looking for embedded objects or excessive wear. Look under the UTV to make sure that fluids aren’t leaking from it, and top up oil and coolant. Fill up the fuel tank before every trip. If you have any issues that need to be addressed, you can always get in touch with us at Lawton Motorsports so that our expert mechanics can help you out.

Trail Riding

While you’re operating your UTV, don’t be tempted to stray off the designated trail or pathway. Not only will this increase your risk of an accident if you hit an unexpected obstacle, like a large rock or ditch, but you might also end up damaging the surrounding environment and the animals that live there. A trail is meant to guide you over a reasonably easy route that still offers you plenty of fun riding, so stick to it and obey all laws, including speed limits and hours of use.

Remember to use proper etiquette while you’re riding your UTV. Slow down around animals, hikers, and other trail users, giving them plenty of space. If you approach or pass private lands, houses or campgrounds, extend the residents the same courtesy and don’t infringe upon their space.

We hope you’ve gained valuable insight from these beginner tips for riding your UTV. If you have any questions or if you want to check out some awesome side-by-sides for sale, give us a call or visit Lawton Motorsports. We are based in Lawton, OK, and welcome all our friends coming from Edmond.